Edison Reviewing Operations Around Start of Deadly Eaton Fire

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(Bloomberg) -- Edison International said the deadly Eaton fire near Pasadena started in its service area and the utility-owner is conducting a review of the event, as blazes scorch vast areas of Los Angeles.

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Transmission lines owned by Southern California Edison are on the east side of Eaton Canyon, where the fire is suspected of starting, according to a statement from the company on Wednesday afternoon. Its distribution lines immediately west of the canyon were de-energized before the blaze.

Two massive fires — including Eaton — have burned more than 26,000 acres and forced the evacuation of thousands of people. Edison’s shares tumbled 10% on Wednesday, the most since March 2020, on concerns about the utility’s connection to the devastating blazes ripping across Los Angeles.

The Eaton wildfire has resulted in the deaths of five people, and damaged or destroyed as many as 500 structures, Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin said in a press conference.

Edison is also conducting a review of the smaller Hurst fire because the utility has transmission facilities near the reported ignition site. The company said the Palisades blaze, which razed parts of the Pacific Palisades enclave, didn’t start in its service area.

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